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Posts Tagged ‘DE Financial Literacy Institute’

12 Tips to Avoid Fraud – ‘Tis the Season to Be Cautious

MONEY MONDAY Hello friends and Welcome to Money Monday

Remember last month when I told you that hubby couldn’t buy me a gift for my birthday? Well after checking his bank statement a few days earlier, he realized that there had been some fraudulent charges made against his account. Luckily, they weren’t excessive, but after contacting the bank his debit card was immediately suspended, oh by the way, there’s a charge for a replacement, which I think is unfair but that’s another story for another Money Monday.

Anywho, I’m glad that he had finally heeded my warning in making sure to check his statements as well as any credit card or medical bills that were received in the mail. There are so many ways for scammers to get you and it doesn’t just happen during the busy holiday season.

Scammers and fraudsters are ever vigilant, therefore, as wise consumers we must be the same, so here is a list of 12 tips to help you avoid fraud and keep the scammers at bay! fraud stoppers

 

  1. Install a lockable mailbox to reduce mail theft.
  2. Limit the number of credit cards you have.

  3. Reconcile your check and credit card statements as soon as possible, and immediately challenge any purchases that you did not make.

  1. Scrutinize your utility and subscription bills to make sure the charges are yours.

  1. Keep a list of all your credit and bank accounts in a secure place so you can quickly call the issuers to inform them about missing or stolen cards. Or make a copy front and back of your cards with the numbers to customer service and fraud departments.

  1. Do not toss pre-approved credit offers in your trash or recycling bin without first tearing them into small pieces or shredding them. Dumpster divers can use these offers to order credit cards in your name and mail them to their address.  Always do the same with other sensitive information, such as credit card receipts and phone bills.

  1. Avoid credit repair scams. If you are tempted to contact a credit repair company for help, use considerable caution. The FTC and a number of state attorney generals have sued credit repair companies for false promises to remove bad information from credit reports. Only inaccurate information may be removed from your credit report; negative information that is accurate (such as a bankruptcy filing or a defaulted loan) will stay on your credit report as long as governing laws allow. running with money

  2. Never give any credit card, bank or Social Security information to anyone by telephone unless you can positively verify that the call is legitimate.
  3. Minimize exposure of your Social Security and credit card numbers. If the numbers are requested for check-cashing purposes, ask if the business has alternative options, such as a check-cashing card.
  4. Do not have your bank send your new checks to your home address. Tell the bank that you prefer to pick them up.
  5. Destroy all checks immediately after you close a checking account. Destroy or keep in a secure place any courtesy checks that your bank or credit card company sends to you.
  6. Do not allow your financial institution to print your Social Security Number on your personal checks. I remember when your social security numbers were not only printed on your checks but also on your driver’s license as well. Times sure have changed!

Have you ever been a victim of a scammer, whether online, via the telephone or mail, if so, then you know how difficult, time consuming and sometime costly it can be to get things back on track. AARP logo

Check www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork if you are concerned about an organization that doesn’t sound legitimate and call 877-908-3360 which is the AARP Foundation Fraud Fighter Center.

Better Safe than Sorry!  

Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!

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New Year…More Money with The Delaware Financial Literacy Programs

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The New Year is an ideal opportunity to set and to create new money habits.  Whether your goal is saving, buying a home, or starting a business, there is a Money School class which can assist you. Check out The Money School class schedule and register for their free classes. You can even bring a friend!

What’s your financial goal for 2014? Take a picture, and send it to info@dfli.org. They will post your goal on the Money School’s Facebook page.

There’s no better time than today,

Social Media 101 Training 

Join us and learn how to create a savvy social media strategy. Social media experts will discuss creative e-mail marketing, maximizing video content, blogging tips, and media relations.

Guest Speakers:

  • Antionette Blake, Blogger, DeDivahDeals
  • Amy Cherry, WDEL
  • Carl Immediato, Talk Fusion
  • Randi Penfil, Constant Contact
  • Stacey Schiller, Stacey Link

When: Thursday, Jan. 30 ~ Time: 10:00am to 2:00pm
Where: Goodwill Center, 300 E. Lea Blvd. Wilmington

Lynnette Khalfani-Cox

CODE Conference 2014: Building a Brand  

Starting your own business? Need to jump start your current enterprise? Attend Delaware’s premiere event for the small-business community, the CODE Conference. Speak with exhibitors, network, and learn branding techniques from award winning financial-journalist, Lynnette Khalfani-Cox.

When: Saturday, March 1

Time: 8:30am to 1:00pm

Where: Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington

Learn more and register

Want to exhibit at CODE?  E-mail Info@DFLI.ORG for details.

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Free Fall Classes From The Money School of DE

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Foreclosure Prevention

Mon., Oct. 14, 6-7:30pm
Georgetown Library

Lisa Spellman, Department of Justice

A Mortgage Acceleration Review

Mon., Oct 14, 6:30 – 7:30pm

Rosehill Commuinty Center

Jenine Mills, AGLA

Home Sweet Home Ownership: Inspection – Better Safe Than Sorry

Tues., Oct. 15 Time: 6-7:30pm

Woodlawn Library

John Kerrigan, Reliable Home Inspection Service

               

Business Builders Book Club

Tue., Oct. 15, Noon-1pm

Brandywine Hundred Library

Dr. Jay Macklin, Direct Sales & Home Based Business Network

Write the Vision, Business Plan Basics

Tues., Oct. 15, 6-8pm

Brandywine Hundred Library

Dr. Jay Macklin, Direct Sales & Home Based Business Network

Roth Conversion

Tues., Oct. 15, 6:30-7:30pm

Brandywine Hundred Library

Mark Nehra, CFP, Waddell & Reed, Inc.

 

There Must be a Hole in My Pocket

Tues., Oct. 15 Time: 6-7:30pm

Milford Public Library, 11 S.E. Front St., Milford

Cost: FREE

Presented by Lisa Spellman, Department of Justice

Learn more about this class

Foreclosure Prevention

Wed., Oct. 16, 6:30-8:30pm

Bear Library

Mary Rammel, CCCS of MD and DE

21 Ways to Find Money to Invest

Thurs., Oct. 17, 5:30-7:15pm

Dover Library

Rod Hausmann, Primerica

 

Do You Have What It Takes to Own & Operate a Small Business

Fri., Oct. 18 Time: 12noon-1:30pm

Delaware State University

Lillie Crawford, DE State Univ DE Ctr for Enterprise

               

Strategic Ways to Get Out of Debt

Mon., Oct. 21, 6:30-8:30pm

Bear Library

Rod Hausmann, Primerica

Tax Free Investing: It’s Not What You Make, It’s What You Keep!

Mon., Oct. 21, 2-3:30pm

Milton Public Library

Donna Savage, Edward Jones

Life Insurance as Alternative Asset

Mon., Oct. 21 Time: 6-7pm

Rehoboth Beach Library

Samuel Slabaugh, Sr., CFP, EST Financial Group

Purses to Portfolios Celebration 2013

Sat., Oct. 19, 9:30am-1:00pm 

Chase Center on the Riverfront

Light breakfast will be provided

FREE, but registration required!
Stay Connected…

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We get by with a little help
 from our friends!

    

 

Click here to donate to DFLI

Other Ways to Contribute:

United Way Delaware: #11058

Combined Federal Campaign: #99176

With your help, DFLI provides free financial educationstatewide!

 

THANK YOU! 

The Delaware Financial Literacy Institute is a 501 (c)(3) non profit organization whose mission is to help individuals, especially those of low to moderate income, become equipped with the tools to get their financial lives in order so that they can become self-sufficient and enjoy financial well-being over time

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First State Saves Week Celebration

On Thursday, Delaware Financial Literacy Institute (DFLI) celebrated “America Saves Week” with an Awards luncheon held at the Junior Achievement building in Wilmington. Board members, business owners, volunteers, and politicians were invited to attend in honoring Debra Forbes, RN, BSN, MS from Governor Bacon Health Center and Jim Godfrey, President/CEO of Consumer Credit Counseling Services of MD & DE, Inc.

The Money School of Delaware

The Honorable Robert Glen, State Bank Commissioner presented the awards and spoke about the First State Saving’s Bank At School programs.  With each new branch opening the ribbon cutting ceremony includes entertaining plays that shows students the importance of saving money.

Debra Forbes was honored for creating onsite financial training programs.  These United Way sponsored events are held during normal business hours making it convenient for attendees.  Jim Godfrey was honored for partnering with The Money School in assisting consumers with debt reduction and credit counseling.  Arming consumers with important financial tools has a positive impact on the community as a whole.

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Kamysha Martin, representing Theatrical Fusion, presented a DVD entitled “Shopaholics”, designed upon the reality TV concept but with a twist.  These free web based videos were created for teens and young adults to educate them about finances.  As an introduction to the world of budgeting, debt management, smart spending, and debit vs credit card usage.  Financial management is something that either parents or schools should teach but when it’s not, by the time they enter college it’s possibly too late, something I can personally relate to!

The unique concept of this program is that it gives the viewers the ability to choose the ending scene which is then played out accordingly.  The DVD also featured Intervention classes as a follow up, these web based video can be seen here.

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The Honorable Governor Jack Markell gave a brief history about The Money School of Delaware.  

In 1999, The Money School launched it’s first 1 day conference with few attendees, but today has over 600 programs within the state of Delaware.  Instructors are all volunteers, and a small staff of 6 operates the main office.  Ronni Cohen, Executive Director of DFLI works diligently with the Governor to ensure the successful growth of these programs in the state.

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